Arhat: Dharmata (Early Art)
Dharmata (Attendant)The images below are the earliest known depictions of Dharmatala the attendant to the Sixteen Elders.
The examples of paintings below are 14th and 15th century depictions of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Sixteen Elders. Each painting also depicts an image of Dharmatala the attendant to the Sixteen Elders. These are the earliest examples of Dharmatala on the HAR website. Note that there are no depictions of Hvashang. Although beginning to appear in some compositions in the 15th century, Hvashang does not become popular until after the 15/16th century.
"Homage to the noble upasaka [layman] Dharmata with the hair in a topknot and a load of books, holding a flywhisk and vase, gazing forward on Amitabha in the sky." (Praise to the Sixteen Elders. Popularized by Shakyashri Bhadra, 1127-1225).
Jeff Watt 1-2021
